Manoa Japanese Language School

(8 reviews)

2.2 mi

My friend and I visited this school from Japan for a one-week English study program…read more At the beginning, we took a language level test, which allowed us to join a class suited to our English ability. The teachers were very friendly and encouraged communication among the students. The classes were highly interactive, and I was able to develop practical English skills that cannot be learned through traditional, lecture-based lessons. Although the study period was very short--just one week--it was a valuable experience for me and greatly increased my motivation to continue studying English.

CPC is a great school. The staff is super helpful and makes enrollment and admissions really easy…read more The classes are taught by knowledgeable and professional instructors who care about their students' learning. The campus is very comfortable and everyone there is friendly. They have lots of fun activities every week, so there is plenty to do outside of class. I highly recommend going to CPC if you are looking for an English school.

Snack station where you can purchase snacks for a reasonable price

View from inside the class

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Aha'Aina Japanese Language Class

4.9

(10 reviews)

2.5 mi

Yui sensei is a wonderful teacher and she makes learning Japanese fun. Her explanations are…read moreterrific and help you to understand some of the more difficult and idiomatic concepts in the Japanese language. You really learn how to speak Japanese as a native speaker. And sensei takes the time to give equal attention to everyone in class. I especially like the fact that the classes are recorded and the students have access to the lessons and can replay the recording to catch any material that they may have missed. I have attended both the in person lessons and the on-line zoom classes and both of those classes were helpful.

Highly Recommend Yui sensei to anyone looking to learn Japanese. Her classes are always fun and…read moreengaging, making learning a new language an enjoyable experience. Currently on Level 4 and looking forward to continuing on to the next levels.

Online Zoom Japanese class

Japanese "Wagashi"

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"Kumano Shrine" is one of the most famous shrines in Japan.

EF International Language Campus

3.3

(3 reviews)

2.2 mi

The Hawaii school that is one of EF's language schools is not reliable. EF is a money-making…read moreoperation more than anything else. I do not recommend this school. They Do NOT have a proven track record in the international student industry? They are NOT transparent about what they expect from you as a student Nor as a host family. The international student industry has grown exponentially in recent years, and there are more agencies than ever clamoring to find good host families. EF is not one of them because EF unfortunately is about taking shortcuts and operating inefficiently. At best, this can cause headaches and confusion for the students and host family when they are looking for answers or support, and at worst, it can mean an unsafe environment for either the student or the host family! EF gives conflicting information to host families and students just to get you interested. For instance, EF tells students that all meals will be provided for them by host family and they tell host families that EF will provide meals for students on Monday through Friday and expect host family to provide meals only on Saturday and Sundays. EF tell host family they provide bus passes for host student and tell host students that host family will provide the transportation for them. EF is far from transparent about what they expect from you as a host family and as a student which can mean an unsafe environment for both the student and the host family! If you are interested in becoming a student Do NOT waste your time and money with EF Hawaii. Do your due diligence and find a company that is reputable, honest, stable, & transparent. If you are interested in becoming a host family, there are other agencies looking for good host families that are honest, reliable, stable, well organized and transparent about the expectations you are agreeing to in order to receive the stipend, and that will actually pay you as promised! EF will promise to pay you $710.00 which is suppose to include a one time sign-up bonus of $150.00 for your first student but will instead pay you a total of $110.00 and tell you that you were misinformed. The best companies will also guarantee support and advice for when (not if) challenges arise with your student. Sincerely, Dr. Dee

EF really does help our tourism industry here in HI. They offer and promote having many students…read more(college age and up) come live and stay in Hawaii and do all of the tourist activities here in HI - especially Waikiki. The staff at EF joke that Starbucks could stay in business with just the income from the EF students- as there are many who go there daily or more often than that. Location- it is high enough over Waikiki to get a great sun set view over the ocean. The lounge is great to hang and not much studying goes on but it is a great meeting place. The classrooms are full on normal desk chair type classrooms that make you look and feel like you are in real school - even if it is English language class. Staff- helpful and know their stuff- willing to help students. EF also has a larger company network of schools basically all over.

Academia Language School

2.6

2.1 mi

I like Academia! The school has a friendly, helpful atmosphere and every teacher I have met is…read morededicated to doing a great job. They care about their students.

This school doesn't deserve any stars! Most students want to give them a Black Hole…read more The school director was witnessed to yell ("Be quiet" or "sit down "in a loud voice), slam door and appear to act violently towards students, forcing them to stop a class. just because they wanted to continue learning something important for them in that class! In addition, He threatened one of student that he would tear up her I-20, if she had not switched out the class, or followed his order, he will not allowing her to stay in Hawaii to learn English. Many students lost their passion of learning English and time and money in this school!!

Academia Language School activity up Koko Head Crater

Class

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Class

International Mid Pac College

3.0

(4 reviews)

2.4 mi

Excellent opportunity for the students. Professionally taught classes nice classroomsread more

This place is best known as IMPAC and it's basically a college for International students to learn…read moreEnglish and a variety of other subjects. They team up with local colleges where the international students will go for programs such as UH Manoa's NICE program. Through my colleges: Leeward CC and UH Manoa, I have met many IMPAC students and I've had the time of my life hosting them as a sort of tour guide around the island. I miss my Korean friends SOOO much. If you have international friends or know anyone in Japan or Korea, I would highly suggest you recommend IMPAC to them as a way to get English experience and to have the program on their resume for when they are going into their career. The teachers here are great, the facilities are pretty standard but they are central to town and there's Ala Moana not even five minutes away. Thank you IMPAC for connecting local students with international students and helping us make friends for life.

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Institute of Intensive English

4.0

(2 reviews)

2.3 mi

How come I never reviewed my language school in Hawaii? Well, it's never too late, so here we go…read more IIE is a very international language school for, well, learning English. I attended a 10 weeks intensive course. The admin staff and the teachers are all really nice and really try everything to push you to the max. The school is conveniently located in Waikiki, about 3-5 mins away from the beach and next to some nice shopping opportunities. All classrooms have A/C, sometimes it can even get chilly. There's a computer room with internet for everyone to use, also there is WiFi throughout the school. Also there is a coffee corner and cup noodles, which you can buy for very little money. The mix is pretty good, but varies among the different skill levels. In the lower levels, there are mostly Japanese students, in the upper leves mostly Europeans. But there are people from all over the world: Brasil, Venezuela, Colombia, all of Europe and Asia. Every weekday, there are afternoon activities, such as Yoga, deep relaxation, hiking, cultural trips and even a booze cruise. I totally recommend IIE to everyone, who wants to study English in Hawaii. It's a great school with modern facilities, great location and nice as well as professional teachers. I wouldn't book the intensive course anymore, as I was mostly alone (which actually is pretty awesome, as it's private lessons) and the others all went to the beach or attended the afternoon activities. Great school with Aloha Spirit. Mahalo, IIE!

From the owner: Internationally-recognized, full-service English school for foreign students…read more Courses for all skills and levels. Junior summer programs. Variety of student accommodation. Full-range of student services and extra-curricular activities. Authorized to issue I-20s for F-1 Student Visas.

IIE Hawaii student lounge

IIE Hawaii

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Becas MEC Hawaii

Intercultural Communications College

3.7

(3 reviews)

2.2 mi

I want to do the CELTA language program but I was discriminated against and banned!…read more I am smart and a good teacher! First, Betty Compton said I could not start the CELTA program because I had not completed a four year degree. But this is not correct, the requirements state:-- | Do you have a standard of education equivalent to that | required for entry into higher education? https://www.cambridgeenglish.org/teaching-english/teaching-qualifications/celta/about-the-celta-course/ Betty was wrong; I don't need to have completed a four year degree; I need to be eligible to enter into a four year degree. Maybe I can still try with her. I emailed back to Ms. Compton but Ms. Compton did not reply. Several months later, I called in to try to talk to someone. The lady answering the phone (Yuko? Yuki?) said someone would call back. Her English was very bad and so I was very slow with her and she thanked me for being patient. I waited and nobody called. Then, I called back maybe one week later and tried again. Yuko answered. She said she had given my message to "people working there". I asked whom and she wouldn't say, only "people working here". I figured something was wrong if she doesn't even know who she gave my message to. I asked to be transferred to leave voice mail. Yuko refused. So I left a message with Yuko again. I called back a few days later again and left another message. Each time, I'm speaking slowly and patiently with Yuko. But nobody called back. Today, I called because nobody had called me back. The call was hung up immediately with no "hello" from anyone. So I tried again and same thing. Then, one more time, and Yuko, with bad English, answered and told me that she has my number and not to call again; that she was calling the police. I asked whom I was speaking to and she replied "uh uh". It was totally uncanny -- we went from "someone will call you back" and "I gave the message to people working here" to "we're calling the police! This is harassment" and refusing to self-identify. No doubt she'd been instructed to do so, perhaps by Betty Compton, the one who made the wrong decision and misstated the CELTA requirements. Maybe Betty hates me or I don't know what. I sense they have been saying bad things about me to each other. Most likely, they've badmouthed me to the University of Manoa folks Joel Weaver and possibly Judie Hudson, too, as Judie was inappropriate and even threatened me during the interview and Joel refused to discuss with me when I said that Judie had been inappropriate. I did nothing wrong! I want to teach English. I like to teach. Everybody knows I am very good at teaching and communicating. I can hardly believe how mean these people are. Why do they hate me so much when I just want to teach? If I did something wrong, OK, but I didn't -- it's discrimination. I thought people in Hawaii are so happy but these people are mean for no reason. I want to get certified to teach English! I am hurt and disappointed that I was rejected with anger and flagrant disrespect.

A perfect place to learn English in Hawaii. It is near of many touristic attractions. The teachers…read moreare so friendly.

ICC students graduate with strong English abilities for work, university, or personal use.

ICC has weekly activites for students such as beach BBQs, surfing lessons, hula, ukulele, and more.

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ICC is located on entire floor of the modern Clifford Center in downtown Honolulu.

Learn English Hawaii

(1 review)

2.3 mi

My writing is always my weak point. So, Sam is always helping me to improve my English writing…read more Also, Sam is a very great teacher because he has the passion to teaching English and always helping student to learn. Sometimes Sam has historic activities, social, community events, and other event, you can get connect to other people and you can make different people from many countries. I like Sam to be my English teacher.

From the owner: English language classes, activities, and private lessons for adults. Beginner, intermediate, and…read moreadvanced level classes in general English, pronunciation, business English, and test preparation (TOEIC, TOEFL, FCE/CAE). Nature activities such as hikes, going to different beaches around Oahu, snorkeling, and surfing. Culture activities include visits to the Honolulu Museum of Art, Bishop Museum, First Friday in Downtown, and tours of Iolani Palace. Private lessons are low-price compared with other English schools in Honolulu, and customized to fit each learner's specific needs.

Culture activity learning about Hawaiian history at Bishop Museum

Nature activity hike and whale watching at Makapuu

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North Shore student activity, eating at a shrimp truck in Haleiwa, Hawaii

Mo'ili'ili Community Center

4.1

(11 reviews)

1.4 mi

I have such gratitude and appreciation for the MCC. As a child, I attended Japanese classes…read moreafterschool at the MCC. A bus would pick me up from school and my grandpa would wait for me out front and we'd walk home together. As I got older and my grandparents did too, my grandma began coming here for a sense of community. She was able to connect with other elders and have activities to participate in. The Mo'ili'ili Community Center has always been a staple in the community and my only hope is that it can get some much needed updates to be able to continue supporting this special community for the keiki and kupuna that live in it.

Nice community center for seniors with free parking in structure next door. Went to check out their…read moreTaichi class. Also checked out the Calligraphy, Okinawan dance and advanced line dancing classes. Need to be an annual member to take classes. Courteous and friendly staff and teachers.

New Hours

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7/2/14

Hawaii Driving Academy

(104 reviews)

2.5 mi

I was looking for a driving instructor for my teen and saw all the positive Yelp reviews for Hawaii…read moreDriving Academy. Jay was a wonderful teacher! He has a "can do" positive attitude. He was extremely responsive and answered all my questions over the phone before the first lesson. He is very patient, always came on time and had a face mask on for every lesson. After each lesson, he would message me on my teens progress. Jay was very easy to work with and I felt he and I were able to work together to achieve our goals. It was also very easy and convenient to pay for our lessons via payment app. Our teen passed on the first try!!!

Jay is great! I had to learn how to drive from the absolute basics and was able to become test…read moreready in around just one month. He's super patient, knowledgeable, and encouraging!

Post the busses info

Hawaii Driving Academy

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Ewa Plains Enrichment Program

(26 reviews)

14.5 mi

I have no words to describe what this school has meant for our little ohana. Our child attended…read morefor two years and was provided with exceptional care and compassion, patience, and everything you could ask for in a preschool. Every teacher there felt like they were born to be a pre-school teacher! We feel incredibly grateful to have found Ewa Plains Enrichment in Ewa Beach for our son. From the very beginning, it felt personal. We were not just enrolling in a school but becoming part of a warm, loving community that felt like family. Miss Jessica and the entire team of teachers are everything you would hope for in a preschool. They are warm, kind, intelligent, and fully engaged with the children. Their sincerity and care were evident every single day. It was almost tangible how much they truly loved each child, including ours. The mission of Ewa Plains Enrichment feels centered in love. Every lesson, classroom moment, and interaction reflects that. Our son not only learned how to read here, but something lit up inside him. It was as if a light switched on, and now he reads his own bedtime stories with joy and confidence. This milestone was nurtured by the school's incredible literacy program and the encouragement of his teachers. The school's focus on literacy is truly outstanding. The dedication and joy the teachers bring to reading is something our family will never forget. We also deeply appreciated the school's commitment to Hawaiian culture. Field trips to the lo'i, the pumpkin patch, and the library helped connect learning to the land and the community. Through songs, stories, and hands-on experiences, the children developed a strong sense of place and respect. As a Buddhist family, we always felt completely welcomed and respected at this Christian school. The values of kindness, compassion, gratitude, and responsibility were shared in a loving and inclusive way that felt deeply aligned with our home life. Our son also had the opportunity to share his own heritage during Culture Week and to learn about the cultures of his classmates. Seeing his identity honored and celebrated was incredibly meaningful and helped him feel proud and connected. The school created beautiful memories throughout the year, from Christmas and Easter performances to a heartfelt Mother's Day celebration. Preschool graduation was one of the best graduation events I have ever attended. It was thoughtful, joyful, and full of love. You could see how much the staff cared about each and every child. During a year when our family needed to take extended international trips, the school was flexible, understanding, and supportive. They even prepared homework packets for our son to bring with him, so he could stay connected and continue learning while we traveled. That level of care and thoughtfulness meant so much to us. Ewa Plains Enrichment has been around for many years, and that experience shows in the most beautiful ways. The staff have worked with so many different types of children and family situations, and their understanding, flexibility, and wisdom come through in how they support each student. You can tell they have truly seen it all and are prepared to meet each child where they are, with love and confidence. Ewa Plains Enrichment consistently goes above and beyond what is expected. They are always thinking about the children and their future. This is not just a school. It is a place where children are truly seen, nurtured, and loved. We will be forever grateful to this school, which is a true gift to the community and island!

Our family is so fortunate and blessed to have found this school! We desired a school that was not…read morejust a "daycare" but one that would challenge our son and continue to foster his growth intellectually as well as be faith based. Our child has excelled and fluorished not only in academics but also socially and spiritually. His growth here has been astounding. The staff here are amazing and were able to create a lesson plan and curriculum based on his needs. They address all aspects of a child's development and offer different activities and experiences for them. He went through three different neighboring preschools before we found this one and we wished we had found it sooner.

Amazing language teachers Hawaiian, Tagalog, Philippines, Bisaya, Ilocano and Vietnamese languages used in class. This is not Seagulls .

A gift for an amazing school year, thank you.

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Graduation ceremony has been done for 20 years.

Keiki O Ka 'aina Family Learning Centers

4.9

(16 reviews)

4.3 mi

I love seeing the family ho'ike form each community ! The Kumu work so creatively and lovingly with…read morethe keiki, makua and community partners !! Mahalo Keiki O Ka Aina!

Amazing group of nice people!! I was introduced to this nonprofit through a Telon on TV in Hawaii…read more They seem to be very sincere in their drive, and I decided to join in. Although getting to this place was quite an adventure it is very high up on a hill, but nevertheless, it was worth being introduced to such nice people!would definitely donate to their cause again this time being total support of rebuilding and helping out the children in Maui and their families!

Keiki O Ka Aina Graduation ~ Mahalo Kumu Jessica

Keiki O Ka Aina Field Trip Fun Day at Discovery Center

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Keiki O Ka Aina Field Trip Fun Day at Discovery Center

Kiddie Academy of Honolulu

(9 reviews)

3.1 mi

Our daughter started at KA at 10 weeks old, very shortly after KA first opened, and (a blink…read morelater!) is now soon to graduate and head to preschool. KA has been spectacular through and through. The school is loving, nurturing, supportive, clean and full of fun activities. My daughter has thrived, with so many great friends and teachers, and so many fun things each day. She loves the play nook, book corner and circle time. Meals are all coordinated from a neighboring restaurant, so the kids eat well and with a healthy variety. They have a "book library" you can borrow from. AND They have parent-accessible cameras so you can check in on your kiddo through the day! We feel so lucky to have been a part of the KA 'Ohana and are so thankful. When I was dropping off my baby so I could head to work, I always knew that she would be loved, well fed, clean and cared for. After over 2.5yrs, they have done and been so much more. In addition to the amazing teachers, the management at KA are incredible. They are hands-on, friendly and accommodating, and truly care about the daycare and the children. When a child is hurt or sick or having a tough day, they will often be found on the laps of Ronna (the owner) or Keesha (the manager), so they can get some extra attention to help ease whatever the issue. We cannot recommend KA enough for your little one! Ps. Tell Keesha I say hi!!

We loved Kiddie Academy and sent both of our children there. The teachers and management are…read morecaring, professional, and helpful. They were all amazing and we especially loved Ms Kimmie and Ms Caitlyn, as well as Ms Keesha and the owner Ronna. My son was quite young when he began and I like that they kept the tiniest babies in their own room which (I think) helped reduce the number of times he got sick! We also had some behavioral challenges and greatly appreciated the level of communication, empathy, and willingness to try various approaches and solutions.

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Rainbow Learning Academy

17.6 mi

Highly recommend!! I fully trust the staff with my daughter. She has gone here for almost 2 years…read moreand she loves it. The staff is friendly, gentle, caring, and so supportive. They communicate well and also throw cute events for family to partake in. My daughter gets disappointed when I come in to pick her up - she tells me she doesn't wanna go home yet. I think that's a great sign she's having fun and loving her time there!

We enrolled our son at 6 months old and have been really happy with his care. The infant teachers…read moreare all wonderful and caring. You can see how much they love the kids. As he's gotten older he's continued to love going to RLA. He's always happy to see his teachers and is all smiles when we drop him off. I really appreciate that they provide meals (breakfast and lunch / snacks). The lunches are impressive (IMO) and expose my son to a lot of foods we don't have at home. On another note, we liked RLA so much that we enrolled my daughter for the summer before she started kindergarten. The class size was small (which has both plusses and minuses, depending on what is important to you). Mainly we liked the curriculum and the amount of hands on activities they were able to do with a small class size. The teacher incorporated some pre-k activities since I wanted to make sure my daughter was prepared for Kindergarten.

Our infant/toddler classroom. Lots of space to explore and play!

Our preschool classroom. Fun centers to explore!

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Recent review

The Growing Patch 24-Hour Children Academy

4.3

(12 reviews)

9.1 mi

We love the Growing Patch!…read more So we initially found the Growing Patch on Patch Hawaii where they list all certified childcare providers on the island. I only used 2 months of maternity leave so I needed to find a daycare that would take my baby as young as she was. We were lucky to find the Growing Patch since they take babies as young as 3 weeks old. We also learned that the owner was prior military and we were proud to go with them since we are military ourselves. We live on the west side and work closer to town so they were right in the middle and convenient for dropping off and picking up baby. Their location is a bit hidden in the back parking lot of Aiea Square area, near Queen Street Cafe but it's easy to get to since it's at the cutoff for Aiea if you're coming from either direction. This makes getting back on the freeway just as easy if you're heading town side. If you're going west, you'll either have to back track to Halawa or drive further down towards Pearl City. To start off, although this facility is a bit hidden, the front doors art covered in bright red posters showing that it's a daycare that provides 24-hour service. Yes! They will watch your child overnight if you need it. We visited the place for the first time during family tour day which was scheduled in advanced for those interested in learning about the facility, their staff and how they do things at the Growing Patch. We were the 1st ones to sign up after the orientation was completed and they offered an "observation day" before my baby officially started daycare with them. This was where they watched her for a few hours to see how she does around the care givers, being in a new place and around other children. She did great her 1st time there and the longer she went, the more she would learn to love being there. They provide you a list with the items they'll need to take care of your baby and anything else you would recommend to keep them comfortable when they're away from you. Each child has a storage cubby for their belongings. At the front door, you have to ring the doorbell to be let in and you check in on the tablet at the front desk. The facility itself is organized and separated into areas for different age groups since they take infants and up to pre-k age. My baby was enrolled into the infants area and they have a lot of things to keep the children busy from walkers, toys, beds and more! They do art work too like a regular school would and send it home with the parents. I love my baby's footprint art! The place smells clean every time I walk in and they sanitize everything at the end of each day. They have a calendar at the front that you can view to see what your child is scheduled to do that day. You can ask the front desk assistants for a curriculum to take home with you too. They even have scheduled field trips for the kids and notify parents via email and the app for permission. Their last field trip was to the Pumpkin Patch back in October 2024. They use an app called Child Pilot to help you keep track of what you're child is doing during the day and to contact you if needed. If you don't bring lunch for your child, they provide meals specially made by the Queen Street Cafe but this is for the toddler ages. The staff here if so friendly and they love the kids very because it shows. When I drop my baby off in the morning, she already knows where she is and loves to smile at all the caregivers. She's even excited to see all the other children and does not cry when I leave. After only a couple months here, my baby is the most friendliest and social child and I love how her smile can brighten up anyone's day when they see her. They hold parent teacher conference to talk about your child's progress here at the Growing Patch. They even ask about the milestones you expect your baby to reach and they'll help them work on that. These meetings are nice and as a first time parent, it's funny to see things from this aspect because I remember my parent teacher conferences with my parents and most of them weren't good since I was naughty lol. I love the relationships they build here otherwise and I haven't had any bad experiences with the Growing Patch so far. We recommend their services to all parents with toddlers or younger and we hope they open more facilities on island in the future. I also wanted to mention that they have a Facebook and Instagram page to see updates and events on your social media. Please see the photos I posted for more info. Thank you to the Growing Patch Ohana and their owner, Mrs. Dominica for all you do!

This rating is based on the customer service received before care was given…read more Domonica, founder of this establishment, called my family to offer us a spot. Over the phone, she specified when the soonest date available is and we gladly accepted. From then, we took the next steps and made an appointment to tour the day care. After touring, Domonica proceeds to tell us that the soonest available date is now 2 months later than the original date she offered and confirmed with us. We were very upset as we already confirmed that we wanted this spot over the phone. She apologized and said she talks to many families and assumed that we were going to back out. She offered the same spot that we accepted to MANY families even after we confirmed. This alone is very unprofessional, especially coming from the founder of this operation. She then offered a hug to cure all of her mistakes. The extreme lack of professionalism and customer service that came directly from the founder is just unacceptable. I do not feel comfortable and would not recommend bringing your family to a place that does not truly care for your family as they only seek to secure the money bag. Please take your child to a place where you know they will be valued.

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Calvary Child Care Center

4.2

6.6 mi

I wouldn't recommend this child care the place is very unsanitary the carpets are dirty, and…read moreeveryone brings their dirty shoes inside. Every time we picked up my son he was sweaty, messy, and not happy, and the same when we dropped him off in the morning he was not excited he cried instead. I think they just let him cry also because when we picked him his eyes were swollen all the time. We felt racism from this childcare. I'm blessed that we found better childcare for our son now, and we can compare lots of differences he is now excited and happy all the time whenever he goes to school.

My Daughter was sent to here when she was 2 with dippers and did not understand English. We were so…read moreworried at that time. Now she is confident and happy, and she has many friends. The Teachers are so caring and I decided to write a review here. Thanks to all the Teachers!

Manoa Japanese Language School - language_schools - Updated July 2026

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Hongwanji Mission School

4.0

(10 reviews)

A private school which uses the traditions of Buddhist teachings in its curriculum. The curriculum…read moreis not as rigorous as what we're used to in California, and the disciplinary methods are a little unconventional but every child is different and this might work for your child(ren). Student/teacher ratio is pretty low which allows more attention towards the students. They have a wonderful program which allows kids to have breakfast with their parents before classes in the morning. Breakfasts are really cheap -- your basic local breakfast stuff: eggs, bacon/spam/Portuguese sausage, rice, cereal etc -- but it allows you to spend time with your kids before you rush off to work. Some of the teachers are inexperienced as they do hire new graduates to join their staff. My only gripe with this place is that they did not challenge the kids enough. My child was there for only half a year but there wasn't much homework and the curriculum was really more towards playing than learning. After we moved back to California, my child had a hard time keeping up at the new school where the curriculum was so much more rigid and intense. Strangely, Hongwanji is a private school and my child is now attending a public school. I had expected more from a private school!

I went to school here many many years ago. So I can't comment on the current curriculum or anything…read morerecent. But what I learned here was social interaction, community, religion, sports, and music. Because of Hongwanji and the YBA, I was a JPO, cub scout, boy scout, basketball player, and volleyball player. I learned how to serve lunch, clean up, and be a part of a team. I learned how to swim and 'jump rope for heart.' I learned how to budget my allowance by buying either the fried noodles or the Star Wars cards. I was a part of the 40K relay team and we were awarded the youngest team. I marched in a competition. I went to Disneyland. I got in to a lot of trouble but it was the teachers who cared about everyone that kept me from being an outright delinquent. Thank you Mr. Date, Mrs. Kimura, Shannon's Mom, and Mrs. Endo. They also stimulated my love of reading. And last but not least, the Hongwanji cookbooks are my most used especially when I'm ono for some comfort food. I learned how to cook because of these Hongwanji cookbook. Back then it really was a village raising each and every child.

Sui Wah School

(2 reviews)

One of the very few Chinese school on the island. Sui Wah School was started over 30 years ago by…read moreMrs. Chee Ping Lee. The school's primary focus is Cantonese, however, due to the popularity and rising importance of Mandarin as the international language, the school started offering conversational mandarin as part of the curriculum. The school is a 501c not-for-profit, year-round school, running on Sunday from 9 am to 12 noon. They start accepting students from ages 3 and up. Based on age and the child's assessment, your child will be placed into the appropriate class. Through out the year, the school also have programs or celebration ceremonies to showcase the excellence of their students. My older daughter has attended the school since she was 3, therefore, I am an avid parent and supporter of this school. They also have conversational mandarin classes for adults. The school is well organized and structured, lead by a great principal, teachers and parent volunteers.

Excellent Chinese school offering both Cantonese and Mandarin. The school promotes not only the…read morelanguage but also the Chinese culture. The school also offers fun and festive activities like Chinese New Year celebrations, annual school open days, mini carnivals, Christmas craft sales, and outings once in a while. The principal and teachers are very experienced and patient. Most of them are certified education professionals. Our two sons started when they were 5. They learned nursery rhymes and simple Chinese characters when they were young. They gradually learned to compose simple sentences and paragraphs. Having attended the Sunday school for 13 years, the boys were able to do Chinese composition and translation between English and Chinese when they graduated. Location is extremely convenient. It's right at the Chinese Cultural Plaza. Lots of free street parking on Sunday. Parents can also enjoy good restaurants around the school and grocery shopping in Chinatown after dropping off the child. Overall, it's the best Chinese school on the island. We love it and highly recommend this to everyone who's interested to learn Chinese.

Vietnamese Language School of Hawaii

My son and I attend Vietnamese school here on Sunday mornings from 8:30-10…read more My adult class also meets on Saturdays at my teacher's home from 4-6. My son's class meets via zoom on Wednesday evenings. The instructors are so patient and kind. This school stands out from other schools because they recruit qualified instructors with teaching experience. The kids watch videos, read Vietnamese books, play games, listen to folk tales, sample Vietnamese snacks and cuisines, sing songs, etc. Every class starts together as a group with cultural immersion, then it goes into group classes divided by age or proficiency level. There's a big fundraiser at the end of the year and the students spend time at the end of class to prep for their performances. I love my adult class teacher, Cô Hà. She was a school principal in Vietnam. She is so funny and welcoming no matter what level you are at. She gives you individual attention if you don't understand and she tailors the class to meet the needs of the students. Since I have started learning Vietnamese again, I have felt more comfortable in speaking short sentences with my Vietnamese-speaking grandma, aunts and uncles when I visit them during the holidays. That is so valuable to me. I hope my son and I will reach a level of being confident to speak Vietnamese one day. We are also making connections with people from our ethnic community. Hopefully we can create a strong network to help each other up when we need each other.

The school Lead (Dr. Julius Pham) and his team of Support Staff/Teachers are wonderful. They…read moretirelessly volunteer their time to help our children (from 2 years old and up) and adult learn not only the Vietnamese language, but also the Vietnamese culture. My daughter was 1 year old when she started at the school, and she was truly a terror for most teachers. Yet, everyone was very kind, considerate, and accepting of her (and of us the parents). It's not about learning how to conjugate verbs and translating texts from English to Vietnamese. Rather, it's truly a language immersion experience. Students start the day by learning about Vietnamese Culture and its history...in a fun and interactive manner. Then, the students go into their individual classes, based upon age groups. For the 2-5 year old class, children are introduced to basic Vietnamese language skills, including singing and dancing to classic Vietnamese songs, and learning basic (useful) conversation skill. Vietnamese is the main language spoken here. But don't be afraid. Teachers are fluent in English, and will speak English when necessary to guide the students (and parents). I think this is truly the best way to learn a language. One other thing to note: Parents are encouraged to participate in the classes, and help the children learn. Even if you don't speak Vietnamese, being there with your children is a huge boost for their experience.

Central Pacific College

(8 reviews)

Rainbow Gakuen

3.4

(7 reviews)

I attended Rainbow from Sakura to around fourth grade. Some background: I was raised in Hawaii and…read morespoke both English and Japanese with my parents. During my time at Rainbow, I made friends both from Japan and Hawaii. There were some students from Hawaii who would speak English to each other even though there was a loosely enforced rule not to do so. I found that those who chose not to follow the curriculum naturally fell behind their peers in terms of their Japanese abilities. I think that this is because the school is not super strict. You'd get reprimanded for speaking English but not in serious trouble. Ultimately, your child gets what they put into it. Rainbow Gakuen is modeled after a traditional Japanese school day, with subjects taught all in Japanese. Furthermore, the institution follows typical customs such as undoukai (field day), Hinamatsuri, etc. Although I have not lived in Japan, I am now connected to my heritage thanks to Rainbow. I highly recommend this Saturday school for kids who already have a background or an interest in Japanese language and culture, but for those who do not it will be difficult. I only went to Rainbow until the fourth grade, but when I eventually decided to study Japanese after taking a seven year break, I found myself breezing through N3-level Japanese. This is a great place to build foundational Japanese language skills while learning about traditions.

My children graduated from this school. It was tough for them to go to school every Saturday and…read morethey had a lot of homework to catch up with Japanese but now they are able to read and write Japanese. They also learned the Japanese math, culture, history and Japanese way of discipline like cleaning after school for example (a little strict.) Well they kind of hated to go there but now they feel fortunate to have the opportunity to learn Japanese.

Prince Jonah Kuhio Elementary School

4.2